"What did you say?"
Before Fu Qian had finished speaking, everyone in the room stared at him, eyes wide.
How had the Ji Clan gotten involved in this?
And how had they learned such details when Siren's operation was so secretive?
The logic of the whole group had clearly been challenged.
"Why would someone from the Ji Clan tell you that?"
Old Man Tir didn't seem especially doubtful about Fu Qian's words, but he was obviously puzzled.
"I ran into Ji Yicheng earlier and chatted with him for a bit."
Fu Qian said casually.
"He thought I had exceptional talent and wanted me to join the Ji Clan so we could accomplish great things together."
"Ji Yicheng personally tried to recruit you?"
Nora frowned deeply.
"He's an important figure for the Ji Clan in the Wasteland."
"Though he's not among the very strongest, he handles most of their affairs. He's a formidable person."
As she spoke, something seemed to occur to her. She suddenly looked up and stared at Fu Qian.
"Did you come here today on behalf of the Ji Clan?"
"What!"
The others were startled by her words, then understood what Nora meant.
"Sorry, but we have no interest in joining either side."
Someone immediately spoke in a deep voice.
"I see. You don't want to think it over?"
The group's reaction was so intense that Fu Qian beamed.
"It's not the old world anymore. In a place like the Wasteland, you know as well as I do how valuable it is to have a large organization backing you."
He was repeating Ji Yicheng's words verbatim.
"We understand. Whether it's Siren or the Ji Clan, their organization and efficiency are far beyond anything we can manage. Unfortunately, we're used to being on our own, and we'd have a